Gossett Rd. has become a dangerous 'cut through' according to a delegation to council. (Google Maps)

By Vernon Matters Staff

safety worries

Delegation warns West Kelowna ‘cut through’ side street spells danger

Nov 6, 2025 | 12:33 PM

At least one West Kelowna city councillor supports stronger police enforcement measures on a side road that highlights the broader community’s struggle with ever-increasing traffic pressures.

Gossett Road, between Highway 97 and Old Okanagan Highway, has become a “cut through” as motorists avoid busier streets.

Drivers are heading down Gossett Rd., partly to avoid congestion on Highway 97/Google maps

A delegation to council Tuesday, warned the thousands of extra vehicles a day on the side street pose a risk as speeding is an issue and there is no sidewalk for pedestrians.

“This neighborhood street is treated like a traffic corridor instead of a residential block,” resident Rita Taylor told council. She said her part of Gossett Rd. has just 17 houses and it is like “…a forgotten world.”

Septic System Setbacks

Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream

Apr 10, 2026

Health Care

New maternity care clinic open in Vernon

Apr 10, 2026

Labour Force Stats

Regional unemployment on the rise

Apr 10, 2026

Taylor pointed to numbers showing more than 4,000 vehicles use the street per day. She said two recent community speed watch volunteer visits clocked more than 13 per cent of all traffic exceeding the speed limit over a four-hour period. The limit was recently reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.

Taylor said one of the volunteers had told her they’d be hard pressed to see those sorts of speeding stats on the far busier Boucherie Road which is a main thoroughfare.

She’s calling for the city to request more speed enforcement from the RCMP in the future and to build a raised, curbed sidewalk to ensure safety for pedestrians.

In response, councillor Rick de Jong supported the idea of police enforcement as speed bumps would likely not solve the problem.

“I believe the best way to get a speeder to slow down is to hit them in the pocket book; speed humps don’t work,” de Jong said. “I’m not supportive of them at all. We’ve spent $600,000 on speed humps and those sorts of initiatives across this community. By and large, they haven’t worked. They’re just a waste of funds.”

City staff have promised a report into the matter.

—

by Vernon Matters Staff

View Comments